Chapter 8 Reunited

Cody's collapse was just a simple case of exhaustion. He was still groggy from the anesthesia. Carey helped a nurse take Cody back to his room to sleep off the anesthesia. He would recover quickly if he just rested for a day or two. Zack's recovery would take a little longer. He had been in surgery a lot longer then Cody and Jake was still worried that the other organs would become infected like Zack's blood tests had shown. But the latest blood test showed only a tiny little infection near Zack's lower intestine. This was good news actually. That meant that the earlier diagnosis may have been a little premature. At the moment, Zack would only need surgery on his bowels. But for now he needed rest.

Jack stood in Zack's doorway, watching the boy sleep. Kid was a fighter. He was breathing on his own and his heart rate was good. Ellen came up behind Jack.

"He's a sweet kid," said Ellen.

"Hell of a fighter," said Jack.

"Breathing on his own after a kidney transplant. That's impressive," said Ellen. She walked into the room.

"What are you doing?" asked Jack.

"Taking care of my previous surgeries on him," said Ellen. "He's drugged up so he'll sleep right through it." She changed the bandage on Zack's nose, the nose had stopped bleeding, and put an antiseptic over the surgical wounds on Zack's lips.

"Tomorrow I'm doing a follow up operation on his nose. I'll probably work on his lips and nose again too," said Ellen. "When's his bowel surgery?"

"Soon. I should install a tiny hose into his stomach to suck out infected blood and puss," said Jack.

"Do that tomorrow while I'm working," said Ellen, rubbing Zack's head slightly as she walked back over to Jack.

"I guess," said Jack.

"Where are you going to put it?" asked Ellen.

"Right below the bellybutton. That would ensure good access to the fluid and stuff," said Jack.

"You'd be the right man for the job," said Ellen. Jack smiled.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Jack," said Ellen.

"Yeah. See you," said Jack. Ellen nodded and walked off. Jack yawned.

"Long ass day," he said, walking down the hall.

Jake rubbed his eyes. Zack wasn't out of the woods yet. He'd be in surgery at least two more times. Cody was done. He just needed to recover. Jake put his head down on his desk and fell asleep.

Moseby looked up from the front desk as Jack came through the front doors of the Tipton. Maddie and London walked over to Moseby.

"Is that him? Is that the doctor who operated on Zack and Cody?" asked Maddie.

"Yes. Please don't bother him. He's one of our guests for the convention," said Moseby.

"Moseby, Zack and Cody just underwent a kidney transplant. We're worried about them," said London, concern present in her voice.

"I am too. But maybe we should wait until morning to go asking him about the boys," said Moseby.

"What do you want to know?" asked Jack, who had heard the entire conversation. Maddie and London walked over to him.

"How are Zack and Cody?" asked Maddie quickly.

"Just fine. Cody's kidney is working perfectly in Zack," said Jack.

"Is Zack doing OK? I mean, considering he was nearly beaten to death," said Maddie.

"He's fine. I have no doubt he'll make a full recovery," said Jack. Maddie and London asked Jack a few more questions before Moseby shooed them away so Jack could go up to his room and get some sleep.

The next morning Cody woke up. He felt a lot better and wanted nothing more then to go see his brother. After spending several minutes with Carey, Cody was helped down to Zack's room. Carey got him settled in a chair and then went downstairs to call Zack and Cody's school. Cody watched Zack sleep for about four minutes until Zack's eyelids started to flutter. Cody's eyes lit up as Zack slowly opened his eyes.

"Hey, Zack," he said softly. He shifted slightly in his chair, "Do you feel okay?"

Zack nodded groggily, "I'm fine," he replied, "just tired. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," said Cody.

Zack closed his eyes, "Thanks for giving me your kidney."

Cody laughed, "It's all yours now, bro."

Zack looked at him, "I'm serious," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "thank you."

Cody pushed his brother's hair back, "Your welcome."

"Where's mom?"

"Downstairs," Cody told him, "She's on the phone with Principal Collins. Drew and the other guys were expelled."

Zack closed his eyes and groaned, "I'm dead."

Cody picked up his hand, "No you aren't. We both have a restraining order against all them. And all three of them are going to spend time in a detention center for this."

Zack sighed, tears welling up in his eyes, "I still can't believe how far they went."

"Well don't worry about it," Cody whispered soothingly, "It's almost over now."

"Cody?"

"Yeah?"

Zack looked at him, "I don't think I would have been able to get through this without you," he paused, smiling softly for a second, "Well I know I wouldn't have, because I wouldn't have survived without your kidney... but..." he stopped, not knowing what to say.

Cody squeezed his hand, "I understand."

Zack shook his head, "I've been really scared this whole time I was here 'cause I didn't know what was going on. But you like made everything okay."

"You would have done the same for me."

"Yeah," Zack said, nodding, "I would have."

Cody sat on the edge of his bed and gave him a hug, "Everything's going to go back to normal now."

Zack slid his arms around his brother, "I love you, Cody."

"I love you too."

They pulled apart. Zack's eyelids drooped slightly.

"You should get some sleep," Cody said, yawning.

Zack smiled, "You too."

Zack lay down and closed his eyes, "You'll stay, right?"

Cody kissed his forehead, "right."

He returned to his chair by the bed. Then he leaned down so his face was on the pillow.

Both boys were sleeping, and did not hear the sound of the door opening.

Carey walked in and saw Zack and Cody resting. She smiled softly. She walked over to the bed and gave each boy a kiss on the cheek.

"Everything's going to be okay now," she whispered to herself.